Jess Oppenheimer

Jess Oppenheimer
Oppenheimer (second from left) with Vivian Vance, Lucille Ball, and Desi Arnaz in 1955
Born
Jessurun James Oppenheimer[1]

(1913-11-11)November 11, 1913
San Francisco, California, U.S.
DiedDecember 27, 1988(1988-12-27) (aged 75)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
EducationStanford University
Occupations
Years active1934–1987
Spouse
Estelle Weiss Oppenheimer
​
​
(m. 1947)​
Children2

Jessurun James Oppenheimer (November 11, 1913 – December 27, 1988)[2] was an American radio and television writer, producer, and director. He was the producer and head writer of the CBS sitcom I Love Lucy.[3]

Lucille Ball called Oppenheimer “the brains” behind I Love Lucy. As series creator, producer, and head writer, “Jess was the creative force behind the ‘Lucy’ show,” according to I Love Lucy director William Asher. “He was the field general. Jess presided over all the meetings, and ran the whole show. He was very sharp.”[4]

  1. ^ Broadcasting, Broadcasting Publications, 1981, p. 306.
  2. ^ "Jess Oppenheimer, 75, a Creator and a Producer of 'I Love Lucy'", "New York Times", December 30, 1988
  3. ^ "Lucy and the Gifted Child", Time magazine, June 28, 1954
  4. ^ I Love Lucy: Celebrating Fifty Years of Love and Laughter, by Elisabeth Edwards, pp. 252-253